While in hospital you will be seen by a physiotherapist who will instruct you in exercises, getting in and out of bed, and the use of walking aids.
After your op, the physiotherapist will check that you are doing your exercises correctly and will help you get out of bed and walk for the first time.
On succeeding days, you will progress to walking greater distances and learn to climb stairs properly.
On discharge from the hospital, you will be given a list of do's and don'ts to take home as a reminder of what you have been told.
These instructions are repeated , to help you remember!
 Print the complete list of reminders
Sitting
Your chair :
Your chair will need to have arms. It should be at least 19"-20" high, measured with the cushion pressed down, from the top of the cushion to the floor. If you are very tall, you may need it higher, or if you are very short lower. If you don't have an arm chair the right height you could borrow one? If your chair needs to be higher, we may be able to arrange for your local social services/occupational therapist to lend you blocks, but not all chairs can be raised this way
How to sit down :
Walk to your chair, slowly turn around. When you feel the back of your legs touching the cushion, put your operated leg out in front of you and put your hands down onto the chair arms then taking your weight through your arms and on your UN-operated leg, ease yourself down onto the chair
How to get up :
With your operated leg out, and taking your weight on your UN-operated leg, push up with your arms. Regain your balance, then retrieve your sticks/crutches.
Sleeping
Your bed :
Your bed will need to be at least 19"-20" high, measured with the mattress pressed down, from the top of the mattress to the floor. You will need to have it positioned so you can get into it on the side that lets you lift your UN-operated leg first followed by the operated leg.
How to get in and out of bed :
To get onto the bed, go UN-operated leg first. Sit down on the bed and lift yourself back far enough to give your operated leg full support before turning yourself face down the bed. Just reverse this procedure to get out of the bed. You should lie on your back and not on your side for the first 6 weeks after your operation.
How to pull up the covers :
A continental quilt is easier to manage than blankets.If you have no-one to do it for you, have a walking stick handy so you can pull up the covers, and also to fold them over to the other side of the bed before you get out. You will need someone else to change the sheets for you in the first few weeks.
Sex :
Sexual intercourse may be resumed as soon as you find it comfortable, but initially you will need to lie on your back and avoid twisting. If in doubt, check with you consultant or GP.
Washing, toileting
Bathing :
Wait at least 6 weeks, or untill advised by your consultant, before attempting to have a bath.
Washing :
You will need to wash and dry your feet for the first 6wks after your return home. You will also need someone to cut your toe nails. If you don't know how to arrange this, ask the nurses during your stay in hospital what help can be organised for you.
Using the toilet
Your toilet :
Will probably need to have a raised seat for the first few weeks after your return home from hospital. The hospital will order this for you after you are admitted for your operation.
Getting on and off :
If your raised toilet seat has arms, you can get on and off it following the same instructions as for sitting in your armchair. If you have a seat with no arms, you will need to use your walking stick or crutches during your recovery. Park one stick on your UN-operated side, and keep the other in your hand on the other side- your operated side. Then keeeping hold of this stick, with your operated leg out in front of you, put your free hand on your UN-operated side behind you onto the seat. Slowly let yourself down. To get up, reverse this procedure.
Wiping :
Make sure you don't have to twist to reach the toilet paper. Use your free hand on your Un-operated side. Avoid over - bending.
Dressing
Your clothes :
Your clothes will need to be within reach without you having to bend over at all, so before your op. Re-arrange them so the ones you most use are in drawers or on shelves around waist height or higher. Have some low-heeled comfortable shoes ready for your return home. If you only have shoes with laces, we may be able to make it easier for you by issuing elastic laces.
How to get dressed :
First, collect the clothes you are going to wear and put them on the bed beside you, before you start dressing. You will have been shown in hospital how to dress your lower half, but here are some reminders:
- sit on the side of the bed(or on your chair) to dress
- put on your knickers or pants using the hooked end of a long shoe horn or walking stick
- dress operated leg first
- you can purchase an aid for putting on socks/stockings/tights if necessary
- put a shoe on, on your Un-operated leg, whilst sitting
- stand close to and facing your dressing table,chest of drawers or a substantial chair to put on the other shoe
- park your walking sticks and use the hand on your operated side to steady yourself on the piece of furniture
- with the shoe horn/stick in your other hand, gently kick your foot into the shoe, positioning it with the shoe horn between your legs. Keep this foot pointing straight.
Getting Undressed :
Reverse the procedure for your shoes. Undress your Un-operated leg first, then your operated side last.
Cooking & Gardening
Stock up :
Stock up before your op, to reduce the time you'll need to spend preparing meals. If you have a freezer, have some meals ready in it.
Re-arrange :
Re-arrange the contents of your fridge and cupboards so you can reach the more essential items without bending or overstretching.
A substantial trolley :
A substantial trolley is useful to have handy if you will have to carry food any distance.
Sit down :
Sit down for as many jobs as possible after your op. When you are working in your kitchen a high stool19"-20" is useful to sit on, when preparing vegetables etc.
Anything heavy :
Anything heavy like lifting or cleaning work should be left to someone else! Do ask someone to help with the shopping, laundry and preparing meals. Do not vacuum, make beds, wash floors or lift heavy laundry.
Gardening :
When you start gardening again, at least 8 to 12 weeks after your operation, try to avoid too much bending, twisting or lifting in the firstweeks and avoid digging.
Preferably kneel while gardening, do not squat.
Going out in the Car
Positioning the car :
Make sure the car is parked away from the kerb so you can be on the same level as the car before you try to get in. Put the seat back as far as possible and slightly reclined.
Getting in and out :
Use the same method as for getting on and off the bed, so go bottom first into the car and lower yourself slowly to the edge of the seat. Then lift yourself further in across the seat, towards the driver's seat, keeping your operated leg straight. Turn to face the right way slowly and carefully, sliding your operated leg into the foot well of the car. A plastic bag on the seat will some times help you manage this more easily. reverse this procedure to get out again.
Driving is not allowed for 6 weeks.
Reminders
Mobility :
Your total hip replacement is designed to relieve pain, restore movement and in most cases also restore leg length and so will improve your mobility.
Exercise :
Walking, short and frequent walks are good exercise but avoid uneven or hilly ground.
Do Not Bend :
If you drop something dont pick it up, use a helping hand or the ends of your sticks or a lump of blu-tak at the end of a stick.
Remember :
An artificial hip is not as good as a normal joint and must be treated with respect. In the first few months, the joint will be recovering fron the surgery. So extra precautions need to be taken for the first 6-12 weeks after the operation, to avoid the joint from dislocating.
Recovery
When you have recovered We hope that you make a good recovery, helped by the hints on these pages. After 6-12 weeks has passed you are mobile and back doing most things. If you have any queries or anxieties that have not been covered on these pages please dont hesitate to contact your local hospital.
Preventing Possible Complications of Surgery
The complication rate following joint replacement surgery is very low. Serious complications, such as joint infection, occur in less than 2% of patients. Nevertheless, as with any major surgical procedure, patients who undergo total joint replacement are at risk for certain complications— the vast major-ity of which can be successfully avoided and/ or treated. Possible complications include:
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